Between 2019 and 2022, 20 million people across the Horn of Africa were affected by droughts, which drastically limited access to clean drinking water and food.
By Billy Kanyi
In 2023, a record-breaking heatwave claimed thousands of lives across Europe. In Asia, unprecedented flooding in Bangladesh displaced millions, triggering waterborne diseases. As climate change continues to intensify, the connection between environmental shifts and public health has become starkly evident. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and shifting disease landscapes are reshaping human health in profound ways.
What was once seen as an environmental challenge is now recognised as a global public health crisis. Experts warn that climate change is not only altering the planet but is also reconfiguring how we live and survive—putting billions of lives at risk.
The heat is on!
Rising global temperatures are making heatwaves more frequent, prolonged, and intense. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that heat-related deaths have surged by 50% since the 1990s, with vulnerable populations—especially the elderly, children, and those with preexisting conditions—bearing the brunt. In 2021, an extreme heat event in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and Canada led to 800 excess deaths. In East Africa, the growing intensity of heatwaves has caused a troubling rise in heat-related health issues.
In Kenya, hospital admissions for heat-related conditions increased by 40% between 2010 and 2020, according to the Ministry of Health.
“East Africa is not immune to the consequences of rising temperatures,” says Dr. John M. Wambua, a climate health specialist in Nairobi, Kenya.
“In countries like Kenya and Uganda, we’re seeing an uptick in heat-related illnesses, especially in rural communities that have limited access to cooling or healthcare services.”
Breathing in danger
As temperatures rise, so does air pollution. The burning of fossil fuels and biomass, alongside extreme weather events like wildfires, is worsening air quality, especially in cities across Africa. According to WHO, nearly 90% of Africa’s urban population is exposed to air pollution levels above the recommended limits.
In Nairobi, levels of particulate matter (PM10) are consistently five times higher than the WHO guidelines suggest is safe. Air pollution exacerbates respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), contributing to nearly 9 million premature deaths annually worldwide.
“East Africa’s rapid urbanisation is worsening pollution, especially in cities like Nairobi and Dar es Salaam,” explains Dr. Grace K. Musoke, an environmental health expert based in Uganda. “Increased vehicle emissions and deforestation, coupled with poor infrastructure in informal settlements, are creating a deadly cocktail of pollution. This is exacerbating respiratory issues, particularly among children and the elderly.”
The water crisis
The water cycle is becoming more extreme. Prolonged droughts and severe floods are now regular occurrences in East Africa, threatening public health. Between 2019 and 2022, 20 million people across the Horn of Africa were affected by droughts, which drastically limited access to clean drinking water and food. Meanwhile, floods have become more frequent, creating breeding grounds for waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and malaria.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cholera outbreaks in the Horn of Africa are becoming more frequent, with over 3,000 cases recorded in Somalia alone in 2022.
“We’re seeing two extremes in East Africa—severe droughts that cause water scarcity and severe floods that lead to the spread of waterborne diseases,” says Dr. Salim Haji, a public health advocate based in Tanzania. “This dual threat is pushing vulnerable health systems to their limits.”
A shifting disease landscape
Warmer temperatures are shifting the boundaries of many infectious diseases. In East Africa, malaria is creeping into areas that were once malaria-free, and dengue fever is spreading to regions that had previously been unaffected. According to WHO, the number of people at risk of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa has increased by 30% since the 1980s due to changing climates.
In Kenya, high-altitude areas that were once considered safe from malaria are now seeing increasing cases.
“Malaria is becoming more common in higher-altitude areas that were once malaria-free,” says Dr. Wambua. “This shift is especially concerning because these areas are ill-prepared to deal with the health burden.”
The mental health toll
The mental impact of climate change is often unheeded but is equally devastating. Natural disasters, displacement, and the loss of homes and livelihoods contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression. A study in Nature Climate Change found that rising temperatures correlate with an increase in suicides and mental health disorders. In East Africa, the emotional toll of climate change is particularly pronounced in communities dependent on agriculture.
A 2021 study conducted in Kenya found that 70% of people displaced by flooding reported experiencing mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.
“Across East Africa, many communities are already experiencing what we call ‘climate anxiety,’” explains Dr. Musoke.
“Farmers who have relied on predictable rainfall for decades are now facing erratic weather patterns, leading to heightened stress and depression. These psychological impacts must be taken seriously.”
The road ahead: Can we adapt?
Despite the daunting challenges, solutions exist. Governments, health organizations, and local communities are working to mitigate the health impacts of climate change. Across the region, early warning systems for heatwaves and floods are being developed, and cities are investing in green infrastructure, such as tree planting, to improve air quality and cool urban areas.
According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), African countries need to invest heavily in healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural and marginalised communities, to combat climate-induced health issues effectively.
Dr. Haji emphasises that “adaptation is crucial. We need to build resilient health systems that can handle both climate-related diseases and extreme weather events. This includes training healthcare workers to address the new health challenges that climate change brings.”
On a personal level, individuals can take action by reducing their carbon footprints, staying informed about climate risks, and advocating for stronger climate policies that prioritise health.
The battle against climate change is not just about saving the planet—it’s about saving lives. By tackling the root causes of climate change and building resilient health systems, we can safeguard both the environment and human health.
